1859 P50C Half Dollar, Judd-238, Pollock-294, R.5, PR65 Brown
NGC.
Design. Referred to as Longacre's "French Liberty Head" design.
A Romanesque bust of Liberty faces right, with a crown of
intertwined oak and vine leaves. Around her neck is a scroll
inscribed with the word LIBERTY. UNITED STATES OF AMERICA fills the
peripheral fields with the date below. An ornate wreath of cotton,
tobacco, sugar cane, corn, wheat, and oak leaves dominates the
reverse, with HALF / DOLLAR enclosed. Struck in copper with a
reeded edge.
Commentary. This die marriage was used to strike two varieties:
one in silver and one in copper--the current offering--both with a
reeded edge. Both are common relative to other patterns of the era,
but finding eye-appealing examples can be challenging. The ninth
edition of United States Pattern Coins by Judd elaborates:
"Copper strikings are apt to be dull, cleaned, and otherwise
unsatisfactory."
Physical Description. A pleasing Gem proof. Walnut-brown
surfaces reveal traces of electric-blue iridescence when viewed
under direct light. A circular toning spot under the LL of DOLLAR
on the reverse provides a simple yet undistracting means of future
identification. Although correctly designated as Brown by NGC, much
original red coloration remains, especially on the reverse. NGC
Census: 2 in PR65 Brown; 5 finer including 2 PR65 Red and
Brown. PCGS Population: No piece has been awarded a Gem
grade (12/08).
Provenance.Ex: Auction '87 (Stack's, 7/1987), lot
827.From The Lemus Collection, Queller Family Collection Part
Two. (PCGS# 11969)